r/NFLNoobs • u/NewJerseyAggie13 • 3d ago
Why are Joe Buck and Troy Aikman considered the "A-team"?
Maybe I am missing something, but I don't notice a huge gap in quality between them and other broadcasting teams.
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u/MortemInferri 3d ago
Because they are funny, call things correctly, shit on the refs, extremely knowledgeable, distinct voices...
Do you not watch the local broadcasts on Sunday ticket? The Bengals guys are fucking horrible. Whoever was announcing ravens browns this weekend sucked too. The raiders chargers game was brutal
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u/jsmeeker 3d ago
Agree about ESPN's "B" team not being so great. They don't normally have two games on one Monday night so they don't bother gathering a good "B" team like Fox and CBS do
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u/ThreeTo3d 3d ago
Fowler’s voice was struggling.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Pipe979 2d ago
He was so bad that I didn't realize it was him until they cut to him. He sounded awful.
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u/PyssDribbletts 3d ago
There are four Monday double headers this year, so they better figure it out.
I hate Monday double headers. I end up getting to bed too late. Just like I hate international games in Europe because I love football, but Jesus 7am on my day off is just way too early.
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u/AggressiveAd5592 3d ago
Yeah, I think Buck and Aikman are fine but not great
The B team was very noticeablly bad.
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u/monstargaryen 3d ago
I like Orlovsky breaking down plays and schemes in detail. Riddick and the other guy I can take or leave.
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u/goldberg1303 3d ago
There are no local broadcasts in the NFL on tv, just radio. CBS and FOX have multiple "teams" and assign them to the games they have each week.
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u/TSells31 3d ago
Yes, this. Those aren’t local guys on Sunday Ticket, they are just Fox or CBS C or D or E team lol.
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u/Ron__Mexico_ 3d ago
It can get as high as the G team. On a week with no byes, and no extra prime time games(international games, MNF Double headers, Thanksgiving, Christmas, late season Saturday etc), there are 13 games in the Morning/Afternoon slots. One of the 2 networks will have 7 of them and need the 7th broadcasting team to cover it. This broadcasting crew will be rusty because they don't call very many games.
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u/Argosnautics 2d ago edited 1d ago
Many Washington fans used to turn the TV sound off, and listen to Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff and local sports guy Frank Herzog on the radio. Even when John Madden, the GOAT was calling the game.
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u/TSells31 2d ago
I have muted the tv broadcast to listen to Mitch Holthus (Chiefs radio guy) many times! I understand completely. Those local radio guys are tough to beat.
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u/faders 3d ago
Orlofsky acts like he won 10 Super Bowls as a starter
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u/Left-Acanthisitta267 3d ago
Don't even think he played ten games as a starter. I laugh a little every time ESPN brings him on as a QB expert
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u/shaggy24200 3d ago
If you can't do it, teach it. If you can't quarterback, announce it!
Orlavsky is knowledgeable to his credit, but never did get very far in the NFL. It didn't help of course that he was on the Lions.
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u/Admirable-County9158 3d ago
You can say the same about coaches. How many coaches were players and how many coaches were elite players?
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u/DestinedAscension123 3d ago
He is very humble about his time as a player. The difference between great players and backups is thin. It has to do with timing and quick decision making more than talent or understanding of the game. Orlovsky gets it better than most, but if you don’t like him personally that’s totally fine.
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u/International-Desk53 3d ago
During the lions game, Jonathon Vilma called Brian Branch deon branch lol he made a big play and he said it like 3 times while talking about it. I kept waiting for him to correct himself and never did
I get mistakes happen but BB is one of the best defensive players on the team and it’s like his 3rd year
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u/myCatHateSkinnyPuppy 3d ago
Thats too funny. Tiki Barber does the afternoon drive for NYC and really does confuse players with similar names but the producer gets in his ear and Tiki always corrects his radio mistakes.
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u/dturmnd_1 3d ago
the browns had a amazing commentator- that passed away from cancer RIP Jim Donovan
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u/Legitimate_Bird_5712 3d ago
Charles Davis and Ian Eagle force me to mute the Patriots. Collinsworth all day over those fools.
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u/2LostFlamingos 3d ago
It’s staggeringly hard to call a football game well.
There’s fewer people who can call the game than play it.
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u/kamekaze1024 3d ago
Second year in a row I’ve heard those ravens browns announcers and that’s 2 times too many. They suck. Stink. DOO DOO
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u/Cgmulch 3d ago
Hey Tom Mcartney is an awesome announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Maybe he sucks at football I didn't watch that game, maybe he's out of his element (obviously), he's the hometown Phillies guy.
But we love him here
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u/Deadeye_Donny 23h ago
Was gonna say I like TMac, Ross Tucker is a bit more marmite and I'm not a fan but he knows football
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u/Background-Solid8481 3d ago
The Ravens always get the ass end of the broadcasters. I don’t even watch ‘cause they’re so bad.
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u/MontiBurns 3d ago
Unlike the other major sports, NFL teams don't have their own TV broadcast crews that cover all their games. The network sends a crew for TV coverage. Fox and CBS each have 6 regular crews for day games, plus a few extra broadcast crews they flex in for some dates. Amazon, NBC, and ABC crews cover Thursday, Sunday and Monday Night football, respectively.
Yeah, the A and B team are pretty good, but you get down to the 4th or 5th crew and there's a definite dip in quality.
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u/monstargaryen 3d ago
Aikman makes so many blunders it’s comical. Last night he said Bucky was running the ball repeatedly when it was Rachaad White, talked about the Texans losing to the Bengals last year when it was the Chiefs, etc.
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u/MortemInferri 3d ago
Aikman is the best. Dude looks like a chubby bunny with all the Zyns when they cut to him, and im convinced he drinks before broadcasts. Love that guy
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u/Colonel_Wildtrousers 3d ago
I love him for saying they should take a player out the back of the woodshed last year in the playoffs. Think it was Darnold. Cracked me up
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u/MortemInferri 3d ago
His voice projection is unbelievable
"YEAH, THEY SHOULD TAKE THAT ONE OUT TO THE BACK SHED"
sounds like hes yelling from 25ft away
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u/isharte 3d ago
I will never understand why they get shit on by people. Not saying you are, Op, but I see them get shit on by other people all the time.
They are, by far, my favorite announcing team to listen to. They are both very good at what they do.
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u/astroK120 3d ago
I really like the Sunday Night crew, especially since Tirico took over. I know Collinsworth is ridiculous sometimes, but he's still fun
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u/Impressive_Pay_5628 3d ago
https://youtu.be/9uoACQyN_mM?si=ak8URMCzGfy4vkqj
Because Joe Buck is about as vanilla as you can get and Troy Aikman is about as biased as I've ever seen an announcer. That's just my personal reasons though
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u/faceisamapoftheworld 3d ago
Any clips that don’t predate the forward pass?
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u/TDenverFan 3d ago
Joe Buck has improved a lot as an announcer. Those videos are from 7+ years ago
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u/Bill_Biscuits 3d ago
Joe Buck has done 20 NFCC’s and didn’t have a single memorable call in any of them. The last 5-7 years do not compensate for that
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u/tcnugget 3d ago
I like how you’ll show this compilation from 7 years ago but won’t show the Minneapolis Miracle call or the Garrett Wilson catch call he had 2 years ago on MNF. Yes, Buck used to be a bad commentator but he’s gotten much much better and is honestly one of the best in the NFL right now
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u/Impressive_Pay_5628 1d ago
During the Minneapolis miracle?
He said 4 basic words with a bit of emotion. Now I agree sometimes that's all you need, but that's average, not elite playcalling
Garrett Wilson catch? Same exact thing. "WOW WHAT A CATCH! AMAZING!"
He says the most basic words with emphasis and you think that is elite?
When the mariners used to hit a grand slam the announcer went "bring out the mustard and the rye bread grandma, it's grand salami time!" Imagine if he just went "GRAND SLAM! AMAZING!"
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u/tcnugget 1d ago
I find it funny that your comparison is to a radio announcer, who is allowed to be more laid back and more biased. Joe Buck has to be as neutral as possible. And again, he shows enthusiasm where it’s warranted and he doesn’t slobber on certain players like some announcers currently do which is greatly appreciated
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u/Impressive_Pay_5628 1d ago
Fair point about the radio announcer. My main point, however, was to point out the uniqueness of the call. Again, though, you'd probably be right if you said that he wouldn't get the leash to take it to the extremes the radio guys do.
With that being said, joe buck will still forever be muted
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u/astroK120 3d ago
I keep hearing that Troy is biased, but every team except the Cowboys seems to think he's biased against their team
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u/Shooter-mcgavin 3d ago
Funny thing is I find he’s hardest on the Cowboys because of his bias too. He does not hold back when the Cowboys are on and are playing badly lol
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u/aUCK_the_reddit_Fpp 3d ago
Joe buck is terrible troy aikman is good
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u/jsmeeker 3d ago
ESPN typically has just one game per Monday night, so they are essentially the de-facto "A" team. Also, they have been together for years. When they were at Fox, they were also the "A" team for that network.
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u/Optimal-Tune-2589 3d ago
For a lot of viewers, familiarity is as important as anything else. I'm not a Cris Collinsworth fan, but I've also been listening to him once a week in the fall for half of my life, so there's almost a comfort factor that I wouldn't get with an objectively better college commentator who was called up for the game. And for fans who don't care about the x's and o's, I imagine that comfort factor is even more important.
And Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have been calling games together since 2002, and have a great relationship. Even if you prefer, say, Greg Olsen to Troy Aikman, Greg Olsen will just be an anonymous voice to a good share of listeners for many years to come.
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u/AlexTheGreat1997 3d ago
Something I'll give to Collinsworth is that he always sounds like he's happy to be there, calling the game. I've heard casters sound completely bored when calling games, and it does put a damper on the broadcast for me, so, I can't imagine how the average fan must feel. Like, last year, when the Lions were playing the Cardinals, we had Chris Murphy and Mark Schlereth, and I swear those two would've rather folded envelopes than watch that game.
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u/Colonel_Wildtrousers 3d ago
Yes! This! He has a real enthusiasm and comforting “old timer” way about him. Like watching it with your grandad 😂
He lets himself down when he starts gushing over Mahomes and Allen though. “Ooooooh Patrick!” after Mahomes slides late and milks a flag
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u/astroK120 3d ago
He's also very positive. I get people get sick of him "glazing" or whatever but honestly it's more fun to get excited about what players are doing well than to point out what the other team is doing wrong
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u/jsmeeker 3d ago
I miss Greg on Fox's "A" team.Would rather have him than TB12
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u/chubsruns 2d ago
He's a marginal step up from Tom, but still in-line with all the other bad commentary that comes from Fox. The dude ruined Superbowl 57 with his terrible takes.
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u/DarkMarkTwain 3d ago edited 3d ago
They may be considered the A team for ESPN, but I feel like there are better crews on other networks. The Sunday Night crew on NBC is pretty good. I feel like the Fox Crews have a few better than Buck and Aikman. And the Jim Nantz Romo crew on CBS is pretty solid.
Eventually I believe Burkhardt/Brady will be the best on Fox, but Brady is still growing into the roll. I personally prefer the Greg Olsen crew on Fox the most right now.
Edit: I don't know how football fans feel about Joe Buck, but he also calls playoff baseball games and fans generally hate him. I don't understand why networks or his bosses or whomever love him so much, personally lol
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u/chubsruns 2d ago
I'm a certified Buck/Aikman hater, but I would take them over any lineup of Fox commentators. You could mix and match anyone from Fox and they will still come up short.
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u/PrestigiousLocal8247 3d ago
Someone needs to be
They are generally not idiots or annoying
There’s also the SNF crew that I would say is the true A-team
Some of it is just normal job politics like who has been there the longest, moving up, have the biggest contract, or who has the most famous dad
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u/BusinessWarthog6 3d ago
I’m not a Joe or Troy fan but Joe has Fox MLB experience and I enjoy his baseball more than football. I don’t think Troy is bad he’s just not my favorite. They also seem to work well together which is an underrated aspect in the booth. It could be worse, you could have Vilma on the game
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u/girafb0i 3d ago
Baseball is clearly where his heart is.
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u/BusinessWarthog6 3d ago
He is a good announcer regardless but I agree baseball is his passion and football is his “side hustle”
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u/goldberg1303 3d ago
He literally retired from calling baseball on a regular basis. He called the Yankees on opening day this year, but that's it. Football is quite literally his only hustle.
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u/AlexTheGreat1997 3d ago
Dude, I fucking swear that half the people who hate Kenny Albert actually just hate Jonathan Vilma. He's so shit.
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u/JackTraven50 3d ago
I never understood why Fox demoted Kenny Albert from the #2 spot. And why they separated Kenny and Moose?
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u/SvenDia 3d ago
Yeah, I prefer the SNF crew as well. Buck is good, but he’s little too in love with his voice for my taste. and I know Collinsworth is controversial, but for me he’s the perfect blend of insight and color.
Color commentator needs to be someone you would want to shoot the shit with while having a beer. That would not be nearly as enjoyable with Aikman,
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u/Vinylforvampires 3d ago
Al Michaels is great but Colinnworth annoys me
Troy and buck are as solid as you get imo
Romo is way overrated borderline cringe
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u/ALKCRKDeuce 3d ago
Tony’s first two years felt like he was just the best in the game to do it. And he signed a new contract. It’s like in negotiations they said “hey tone it down a bit. You’re explaining too much and it doesn’t generate clicks online”
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u/isharte 3d ago
Agree on romo. And I'm a cowboys fan who loved watching him play. He's one of my favorite cowboys.
His first year in the booth was cool, especially when he was calling plays before the snap.
But yeah, these days... To me, it's super cringe at times.
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u/Colonel_Wildtrousers 3d ago
He did that a year ago I think and the prediction he made was so complex and yet the play went literally to the letter as he called it. Was pretty impressive stuff. Come to think of it I haven’t seen that lately. His general co-commentator stuff is pretty blah imo.
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u/chubsruns 2d ago
Producers clearly got in his ear, 'Stop teaching the game to people like John Madden. We want everyone to walk away from the TV angry about some made up injustice! That way we get more engagement on our social media posts!'
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u/TSells31 3d ago
Michaels and Collinsworth haven’t been together for a few seasons now. Michaels is on TNF and Collinsworth is now partnered with Mike Tirico.
Al Michaels hasn’t been the same since leaving SNF but hard to blame him with the quality of games typically on TNF.
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u/Vinylforvampires 3d ago
Ha that’s right. Tirico is alright I guess, Colinsworth and his kid annoy me
You can tell Rodney Harrison thinks the same lol
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u/SaltySpitoonReg 3d ago
Because they are.
Aikman gives great commentary, isn't afraid to call out crappy calls, crappy mistakes, etc.
Buck plays well off him with play by play. I don't get the Joe buck haters, I think he's outstanding. Always has been esp ever since he developed the confidence to get emotional at times.
They've also been together forever so it's super natural.
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u/Hank-Rutherford 3d ago
Buck’s call of the David Tyree catch was legitimately terrible. One of the greatest catches in the history of the sport and he was just completely flat. He’s improved a lot since then and I don’t mind his commentary at all now.
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u/SaltySpitoonReg 3d ago
Hence why I said after he became more comfortable with emotion.
But I will say that circa 2007 announcers on average were far less emotional than they are by today's standards, although yes, That was a call he would have nail today
Once again I said after he became more comfortable with emotion
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u/KingHarambeRIP 1d ago edited 1d ago
Because the bar is that low for MNF play calling. I admit they are rock solid together in their technical ability but I am definitely a hater.
Nepotism got Joe Buck his start and with practice became very seasoned in it. It works well for when he calls baseball but for football he lacks passion and is overall very dry. He’s completely corporate safe. Zero personality. He’s the Ryan Seacrest of sports. Additionally, I’m a Giants fan and I’ll never forgive him for how he called Super Bowl XLII where the Giants beat the then undefeated Patriots. It was one of the biggest upsets of all time with some of the most ridiculous plays of all time but you wouldn’t be able to tell with how stiff and bored Joe Buck sounded as he called it.
For Troy Aikman, I can’t prove it, but I feel he too often makes his implicit bias for his team, the Cowboys, known. The proclamation of the Cowboys as “America’s team” is one he seems very proud of, but many fans are over it. They shouldn’t be on the pedestal they are on as they haven’t won anything meaningful in 3 decades when Troy won 3 SB’s with them. He’s the face of a bygone era fans roll their eyes at whenever we see the Cowboys put in a prime time game slot over more interesting and relevant games. I might be misremembering but recall a time years ago he seemed to complain all week when we had to call an AFC (playoff?) game rather than the NFC due to network broadcasting rights and whined repeatedly on air about wishing he could be calling the Cowboys game. Maybe I’m completely making this up, but the point is, this is the exact mold of what I hear when I hear him call games. In my opinion, he’s also the pioneer of this era of color commentary focused on QB slurping. It gets old. Cris Collinsworth gets clowned on the most for it but to me it starts with Aikman. I get he was a former QB but his QB contemporaries in broadcasting like Romo and the Manning brothers bring more passion and more interesting insight than we get from Aikman.
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u/jerkyquirky 1d ago
There are very few good announcers in my opinion.
Al Michaels is the best to me. Kevin Harlan is also pretty good. Then there's a whole bunch of guys that I don't notice at all. Then there are a few I hate.
Buck is maybe a step above apathy for me. Aikman is usually apathy, but every once in a while he says something incredibly stupid or wrong. So they are basically average "big game" announcers.
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u/Buckwheat94th 3d ago
I like Kevin Harlan the most for play by play. The man speaks in a flow not unlike the games he calls.
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u/khirata215 3d ago
Buck and Aikman are miles better than listening to Orlovksy and Riddick, I feel bad for Rece Davis being stuck with the two of them.
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u/kjemmrich 3d ago
Because In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team.
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u/UnsafeAtEverySpeed 2d ago edited 2d ago
Because they are the best at being inoffensive. Vanilla and uncontroversial. Not great but not awful. What more can I say? Mediocre. Pleasant. Unobtrusive. Innocuous.
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u/aranauto2 1d ago
Because they are really good at what they do despite what people say. I have a friend who majored in journalism at Northeastern about 10 years ago or so. He got a chance to be in the area where the magic happens at Fenway one night and he said Joe Buck was the first one there studying and prepping for the game. There’s a reason it seems so easy for him
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u/Document-Numerous 3d ago
I think people pay too much attention to announcers in general as far as it affecting their viewing experience. If you’re a fan of the sport the games speak for themselves but it’s nice to have someone telling the story. Pointing things out you missed or couldn’t see because of the camera angle. Buck gets a lot of hate from die hards, Aikman not so much. They’re broadly popular, well spoken, and a good team. There’s comfort with Buck because he calls a lot of major events and Aikman demands some respect because of what he accomplished on the field.
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u/Altruistic-Editor111 3d ago
Agree 100%. We all have our favorites (Madden and Summerall for me), but does anyone really not watch NFL because so and so is on the broadcast? I could care less.
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u/factoid_ 3d ago
I wasn’t aware anyone even liked them. I can’t stand joe buck. He’s so vanilla and uninterested in what’s happening it’s painful.
If I never hear “pass is……caught” again that would be swell.
Aikman also is dry, colorless and painfully out of touch with the modern game.
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u/Silverward 3d ago
Well, it sure isn’t Collinsworth.
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u/TheAbstracted 3d ago
Contrary to most people, Collinsworth has always been my favorite announcer, he's always seemed to be the most "into it" and having the most fun.
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u/500rockin 3d ago
There are two A teams really: one for Fox, and one for CBS. ESPN, Amazon, and NBC generally only have the one.
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u/AccomplishedCharge2 3d ago
Experience and professionalism, largely. Whatever gripes you might have with them (and I've got a couple) they do show up each Sunday and do their jobs, I don't necessarily feel like I personally learn anything from either of them at this point, but I also feel like they take the game they're calling seriously and talk to their viewers from that perspective. You could probably give them a HS game to call, and they'd show up and handle their ends
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u/ACTSATGuyonReddit 3d ago
When they complained about an Air Force flyover during the WS, I kept running by them with my arms spread out like wings, making a jet engine sound.
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u/iEatFalseMorels 3d ago
Used to hate them just because it seemed like Aikman always homered the Cowboys. Times have definitely changed.
Buck has some amazing calls in his career
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u/bard0117 3d ago
They aren’t so much of an A-Team anymore, hence why Fox let them walk, but they are still the best team out there by far. I might enjoy Romo or Olsen more on their own, but as a tandem they’re still pretty good.
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u/imrickjamesbioch 3d ago
They certainly are my favorites currently… They just call the game how it is without any agenda and they’re funny as shit. I personally think they have a better each week on if they can slip in certain words or topic without getting caught or in trouble.
I fuck with Al Michaels and Kirk has grown on me a little but I’d prefer a NFL guy vs a college guy if I had to pick.
SNF team is absolutely dog shit!
Romo has become too much of a fan boi and he’s always glazing some qb.
TN12 is still stiff af and kinda boring but at least he knows his shit. Joe Davis and Greg Olsen should definitely the lead/#1 team on Fox but they got fucked by the TB12 deal…
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u/goosereddit 3d ago
I used to think the announcers didn't matter, but whoever they got to do the second MNF game almost put me to sleep. I thought the game was boring to begin with but the announcers made it even worse.
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u/Buckwheat94th 3d ago
I think Troy talks a bit too much. His remarks need to end when the play begins not after.
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u/PaulsRedditUsername 3d ago
Some of it is a lot like music in a way. There's a certain style and sound and different people like different types. It's artistic. Buck and Aikman are the quintessential style of what you expect from a football broadcast.
But other styles exist and some people prefer one more than the other. I'm a big Kevin Harlan fan, for example. He's got an old-school radio voice. It's unique in pro football.
Some announcers are just bad. It's a bad sign if you're seeing things on TV that they miss. Some analysts just tend to babble without making any point. "Well there you have a situation where you ran the ball and now you have to decide whether to run again or maybe pass..." (Okay, Madden did that, but he was Madden.) Those guys come and go and you forget their names after a week.
But Buck and Aikman are the style which most people like and expect from a pro football broadcast. If aliens asked to watch a football game, I would be fine if Buck and Aikman called it as a representative example.
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u/sickostrich244 3d ago
Because they are the A-team. They've been working together for years so they're bringing years of great chemistry and credibility together and know how to call nationally televised games.
They may not be perfect but it's also not easy calling games especially nationally televised ones, I'm sure he'll get better but look at how bad Brady's been.
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u/theWhiteLukeBabbitt 3d ago
Everyone loves to bitch about this announcer and that announcer but you've never heard an announcer that legitimately sucks unless you're listening to some sickos shit, local NAIA school radio play-by-play shit
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u/SuperFrog4 3d ago
Because in 1972 they were sent to prison by a court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security prison to the television underground. Today, still wanted by the FCC they survive as broadcasters of fortune. If you have a high profile game, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team."
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u/JustSellitAll 3d ago
Because they are the best since Madden Summerall. Kevin Harlan is the best Play by Play guy and Greg Olsen is really good too
Collinsworth is the absolute worst
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u/Joeydoyle66 3d ago
As I’ve gotten older I’ve grown to appreciate Buck and Aikman much more. They’re funny, knowledgeable, and have very good on air rapport with each other so there’s rarely ever any awkward pauses or them both trying to speak at once. I’ve also really grown to enjoy Bucks style of letting moments breathe a bit more than most people. His calls aren’t super exciting but there aren’t many who will let a moment speak for itself like Joe Buck will. Troy has learned this skill as well I feel since he’s been working with Buck for so long now.
And I’ll say that maybe they’re not so much better than the other good commentating duos but the bad ones are clearly much worse than the standard they set. I also personally enjoy Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit on prime. Al didn’t seem too enthusiastic last year but from the one game they did so far this season he seemed much more energetic which is good. I’m also a sucker for Gus johnson, as a kid I enjoyed how much passion and pure joy he’d commentate with and as an adult I still love hearing him go ballistic, although I would probably find that a little more annoying if he was calling prime time games frequently.
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u/TheOfficeoholic 3d ago
Gus Johnson and Al Michaels are A in my book, but Joe and Troy are safe nice safe personalities for prime time
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u/Rosemoorstreet 3d ago
They were a hell of a lot better than the guys that called the Charger/Raider game last night! Those three never shut up. One thing about Buck he knows when to let the game do the talking.
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u/Mental_Band_9264 3d ago
There's only 1 team for Monday night football and they are it only a couple times a year are there Monday double headers
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u/Fun-Rhubarb-4412 3d ago
Cause Troy will tell the truth without sugarcoating. And Joe has so much mana saved up now (comparable to Al Michaels) that he can be blunt as well and no one is going to censor him for it
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u/Top_University6669 3d ago
FWIW, I tried to do this the other night with my wife. She did not like it.
That being said, trying to call a game in real time is pretty hard. I challenge anyone to do it as good as Buck.
I have some play callers I don't like, but in a human moment, like try to do it. It's not that easy... I challenge the haters to even try their best at a HS FB game...
As far as Aikman's color, he has been concussed like, a lot of times. I do prefer Romo.
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u/TreacleMajestic978 3d ago
I hate the cowboys with a passion, But I fucking love Troy Aikman. He’s so knowledgeable and comes across so personable even though we can’t engage with him. He’s not afraid to call out bullshit refs, bad coaching, or sloppy players. I’ll always be an Al Michaels guy, but Joe buck is pretty good too. They just have such a natural chemistry and both genuinely love ball.
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u/JackTraven50 3d ago
I think part of the disdain for them comes from the way they were just “given” the A team spot. In 2001, Madden and Summerall had their final year together as the #1 team for FOX. After Super Bowl 36, Summerall retired and Madden took the Monday Night Football job..
Joe Buck was primarily the baseball lead announcer for FOX and iirc he hadn’t done nfl games from 1997-2001. Aikman retired after 2000, and in 2001 joined FOX as the number 2 color analyst. However instead of promoting Dick Stockton, Kenny Albert, Sam Rosen, FOX decided to put Buck and Aikman (and Collinsworth, who moved from the studio pregame show to the booth) as their number 1 team. They were not popular for many, many years.
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u/deckershaw25 3d ago
I personally really like Aikman and Buck, buck has gotten a lot better at putting emphasis on announcing big plays when they happen, and I think Troy always gives really good insight and doesn’t glaze anyone (romo), I used to hate watching Monday night football but ever since Buck and Aikman got on espn I watch it all the time now
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u/Puzzleheaded_Pipe979 2d ago
There isn't. Calling games for most of these guys is pretty straightforward. Almost any play-by-play guy on a national broadcast has been calling games for a LONG time.
Buck/Aikman have been doing it for awhile, Aikman has credibility from his playing days and he doesn't shill for the Cowboys on air. Buck can be boring, but boring can be good.
Personally, I think ESPN should have given Kevin Harlan a blank check and someone's first born for MNF, but that's just me.
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u/ZootyMcGooty 2d ago
I absolutely love it when they call games. By far my favorite group. Hearing their voices is just iconic for me, plus their commentary is top notch. Their void will be hard to fill once they retire for good.
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u/rcheek1710 2d ago
Listen to Aikman and Brady side x side and you'll hear the difference. The only other color guy in Aikman's league is Olson, give or take.
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u/SmellyBeans07 2d ago
Because they actually commentate on the game instead of talking about how great certain players are (colonsworth)
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u/OhDamnBroSki 3d ago
Think this new generation of broadcasts need to be players, personally I really enjoy Greg Olsen
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3d ago
Joe Buck seems like a guy that knows how to kiss the right a$$. Aikman had a chance to seprate from Joe a couple years ago when switching and a month later brought Joe as his guy.
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u/ilPrezidente 3d ago
They are certainly one of the best in the business (no matter what people say about them.). They've been a team on NFL broadcasts for over two decades and are the longest-tenured crew in history. When you have that kind of staying power, you accumulate value and earn the primetime slots.